Tragedy struck at a house party in Arizona as 17-year-old high school cheerleader Hailey Stephens lost her life after being struck by a stray bullet to the head.
Hailey Stephens and another 17-year-old girl were described as ‘innocent bystanders’ by the police, both hit by stray bullets
The incident occurred during a gunfight at a vacant house on East Silver Reef Road in Casa Grande around 1:30 am. Despite being rushed to a Phoenix hospital in critical condition, Stephens succumbed to her injuries a few hours later. Hailey Stephens, a star pupil at Casa Grande Union High School with a remarkable 4.3 GPA, was not only known for her academic excellence but also for her achievements as a top cheerleader who had even appeared on Friday Night Fever. Expressing grief, her mother, Vanessa Stephens, emphasized the tragedy of losing a promising young life and called for accountability: ‘Somebody did something wrong and they should pay for their crime.’
Nine teenagers, including a 13-year-old, have been arrested in connection to the shooting
Five individuals are accused of murder, while the remaining four are charged with criminal trespassing in the tragic case surrounding Hailey Stephens. The Casa Grande community has united to grieve her loss, with tributes flooding in and fellow students placing flowers and cards on the school campus. The abandoned house, where the incident transpired, now bears the scars of bullet damage, leaving the owner distraught and the property in chaos.
Amidst the community’s struggle to comprehend this devastating loss, Chris Stephens, Hailey Stephens’ father, and a Casa Grande firefighter, undoubtedly grapple with an overwhelming heartbreak that is beyond imagination.
READ ALSO: Olympic Swimmer Klete Keller Sentenced To Probation For Capitol Riot Involvement